Pneumatic pump



June 24, 1930. H. s. ROGERS ET AL PNEUMATIC PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1926 J 3 H. 5. ROGERS ET AL PNEUMATIC PUMP 2 Sha ets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1926 60 FIG. 6 62 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE HOMER s. noenias Ann RICHARD nannATzQor MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS T MILWAUKEE ararownn PUMP 00., OFMILWAUKEE, isconsin, A conroa RATION' or WISCONSIN PNEUMATIC PUMP Application filed May 17, 1926. Serial No. 109,591. i

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic pumps of the type used for elevating water from wells by air-pressure and more particularly to an improved method of andapparatus for operating the fluid inlet and exhaust valves of such pumps.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved pump of the character referred to wherein float-controlled means are employ- 1 ed" to operate air inlet and exhaust valves at predeterminedhigh and low level positions of a cooperating timing float the arrangement being such that at. low level condition the operating float is permitted'to drop a predetermined distance and,- conversely at high level condition, the operating float is permitted to bob up a predetermined distance, thereby in either position to store up a certain amount of kinetic energy to operate the valve opening'means;

Another object is to provide an improved pumpof the character referred to'wherein the mechanism for operating the fluid ex haust valve includes an operating float and a second or timing float operable during discharge and filling of the pump chamber to hold the operating float against operative movement during the major portions of the discharge and flllingoperations while permitting such movement of the operating float at low and high level conditions respectively.

Another object is to provide a pump of the character referred to with improved mechanism for operating the fluid inlet and exhaust valves, which mechanism has all the advantages of such mechanism used heretofore as regards rapidlty and posltiveness 0t operation while eliminating the more or less complicated arrangement of links and levers 4 found in such mechanism constructedheretofore, the improved mechanism being operable when the water level in the pump chamber reaches a predetermined low point to open the fluid exhaust valve with a rapid and 4 positive action and irrespective of the rate at which the water maybe withdrawn from the chamber at this instant; 1 7

Another object is to provide an improved pump of the character referred to which is simple in construction and manner of operafor a relatively long period of time without the necessity of readjustment or replacement of any of the parts. a

Other objects and advantages will here ina'fter appear. v

For the purpose of illustratin the inven tionj, one embodiment thereof is s iown in the drawings, in which I Figure l is a sectional view taken vertical- 1y through the improved pump,"the various partscomprising the mechanism for actuating' the fluid inlet and exhaust valves being shown in their respective positions assumed during discharge of the pump chamber and after the water levelthereinhas dropped slightlyffr-om thehigh level point; I Fig. 2 is a sectional View, takenfon the line 2-2in Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view,'sl1owing the respective positions assumed by the valve actuating parts at low level condition'in the pump chamber;

' Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the respective positions assumed-by the valve actuating parts when the pump chamber has been filled and the'water level therein has risen to the high point; and I Fig. 6 is a sectional View, taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1.

The pump casing 10 may be of any desirable shape and size,and is proi ided in its bottom with a central opening into which a plug 11 is screwed, the latter being provided with water inlet ports 12 and providing a seat for the water inlet. check valve 13. ar ranged as shown to close with the pressure in the pump chamber 14. For the purpose of guiding and limiting upward or opening movement of valve 13, the latter is provided with a central opening 15 through which upwardly extending lugs-16 pass, these lugs upper ends with outwardly extending heads 18 arranged to engage the upper side of valve 13 for the purpose explained. A suitable screen 19 is held in position between the lower edge of a depending annular rib or flange 20 .and a ring 21, the latter being clamped tightly against the rib by means of bolts 22 screwed 1nto enlargements 23 and 24 with which the ring and rib are provided. The mesh of screen 19 is such as to prevent the entrance of solid particles, such as small stones and the like, into the pump chamber by way of inlet ports 12. The pump casing is provided with supporting legs 25 which extend a short distance below ring 21 to pre vent the latter from contacting with the bottom of the well so as to protect screen 19. I

The upper end of casing 10 is closed by a head member 26 secured to the casing in any suitable manner and provided with a fluid inlet passage 27 and a fluid exhaust passage28. The water outlet passage for the pump is provided by the depending pipe 29 which extends downwardly to within a short distance from the bottom of casing 10 and which is provided at its upper end with a controlling check valve30 arranged as shown to open with the pressure in chamber 14. a

The fluidexhaust passage 28 is controlled by a valve 31 pivotally mounted by means of spaced ears 32 to a depending lug 33 which may be formed integrally with the head member 26, valve 31 being arranged to seat or close with the pressure in chamber 14 and being provided with other spaced cars 34 to'which is pivotally connected the fluid inlet valve 35 for controlling passage 27, valve 35 being arranged as shown to seat or close against thepressure in passage 27. Valve 31 is further provided with a depending lug 36 having a recess 37 in its lower endforming shoulders 38 and 39, lug 36 being provided with an outwardly extending weight arm 40 for the purpose hereinafter explained. 1 Y

The actuating mechanism for closing and opening valves 31 and 35 includes a lever 41 supported for pivotal movement in the pump chamber by vmeans of a pin-42 which may have press fit in a portion 60 formed integrally with head member 26, pin 42 extending loosely through a. bearing 61 with which lever 41 is provided. Lever 41 is provided at one end thereof with an operating float 43 and at its other end with a transversely extending pin 44 supported at its ends by spaced ears 62 and extending into recess 3? and having an appreciable amount of loose play between shoulders 38and 39, this other end of lever'41 being further provided with a second transversely extending pin 45 which may have a press fit therein and which carries a roller 46.

A second lever 47 is provided with a hearing 48 through which a pin 63 loosely passes. Pin 63 may have a press fit in portion and supports lever 47 for pivotal movementin the pump chamber. Lever 47 is provided at one end with a timing float 49 and at its other end with a transversely extending lug 50 having its upper and lower faces 51 and 52 formed on arcs struck about pin 63 as a center.

The relation of the valve actuating parts is such that when floats 43 and 49 are in position corresponding to high level condition in the pump chamber roller 46 will be below the adjacent left end'of lug 50, as shown in Fig. 5, so that when the water level drops a slight amount from the high level point, float 49 will operate to cause movement of lug 50 to the leftand across the path of-movement of roller 46 about pin 42 as a center whereby upon further dropping of the water level roller 46 will catch under lug 50 and engage the lower face 52 thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, lever 41 thus being locked against further movement in a clockwise direction under the action of float 43 which now acts as a weight During discharge of the water from chainber 14 float 49 will continue to drop with the water'level and will thereby operate to continue movement of lug 50 to the left, roller 46 at this time coacting with the lower face 52 of, lug 50 to lock lever 41 against any movement in a clockwise direction, for which purpose face 52.is formed on the arc of a circle about pin 63 as a center, as explained above. \Vhen the water level in chamber 14 drops to the low point, roller 46 willslip from under the right end of lug 50 whereby float 43 will be permitted to drop instantly a predetermined distance under the action of gravity until pin 44 engages shoulder 39 with an impact to jerk exhaust valve 31 from its seat and close inlet valve 35, as shown in Fig. 4. In'this connection, it is to be noted that when the parts are in their respective positions during discharge of chamber 14, as shown in Fig. 1, there is an appreciable distance between pin 44 and shoulder 39 so that when float 43 is permitted to drop under the action of gravity at low level condition in chamber 14 it will have stored up a predeteriniued amount of kinetic energy before pin 44 engages shoulder 39, as shown in Fig. 4. This arrangement or action obviously makes float 43 a great deal more effective in effecting movement of exhaust valve 31 from its seat than would otherwise be the case if the action weresuch as to cause engagement of pin 44 more or. less easily with shoulder 39. This action, furthermore, provides for a rapid and positive actuation of the fluid exhaust and inlet valves a-tflow level, and permits of the use of a smaller operating float 43. The inlet valve 35 will now be closed and exhaust valve 31 open so that the head of the water'in the Wellis suflug 50to the right and across the path of movement of roller 46 so that when the water level has risen slightly above the low level point roller 46 will engage down on the top of lug 50 or the upper face 51 thereof, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby lever 41 is locked against further movement under the action" of the operating float 43, this latter float now acting under the buoyant action of the water to urge lever 41 in a counter-clockwise direc tion about pin 42 as a center, this tendency of float 43 increasing of course as the water level I method-has been provided for actuatmg the rises. The water will continue to flow into chamber 14 by way of ports 12 until the water level rises to the high point, at whichtime float 49 will be in its uppermost position and roller 46 will slip off the left end of lug 50 whereby float 43 is permitted to rise to the surface with a quick movement under the buoyant action of the water. Before float 43 reaches its uppermost position, pin 44 will engage shoulder 38 with an impact to cause rapid closing and opening movements of the exhaust and inlet valves 31 and 35, respectively. This operation of the fluid valves will again place the pumping chamber under pressure and the water will be forced there from by way of outlet pipe 29 and through the water outlet valve 30. When the level of water has dropped slightly from the high level point, roller 46 will again catchunder lug 50, as shown in Fig. 5, to hold lever 41 against further clockwise movement under the action of the operating float 43, thus completing the cycle. The weight arm 40 acts during filling of the pump chamber to hold exhaust valve 31 open and inlet valve 35 closed against the pressure in passage 27.

It is to be noted that when the water level in the pump chamber reaches the low point and roller 46 clears or slips from under the right end of lug 50, the operating float 43 will drop instantly to cause complete opening and closing movements of valves 31 and 35, respectively, and that this action will take place although the withdrawing of water from the pump chamber may be stopped or continued at a very slow rate at the instant the low level points is reached. This action makes impossible a dead-center position of the fluid valve actuating mechanism at low level. This so-called dead-center position has given trouble in some types of pumps constructed heretofore by permitting escape of the operating fluid by way of the fluid 6X- haust passage.

During discharge of the pump chamber the airpressure therein actsupon exhaust valve 31 to hold the lattenclosed against the action of weight arm 40 tending to open the same.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the improved valve actuating mechanism includes a single operating float 43 for causing movement of themechanism to effect openin and closing of valves 31 and 35, respectively, at low level condition in the pump chamber, as well as reverse operation of these valves at high level condition in the chamber, and a secondor timing float 49 which is operable to lock theioperating float 43 and its associated parts against operative movements during discharge and'filling of the pump chamber, while permittingof such movements at low and high level conditions in the chamber.

It will further be seen that an improved fluid valves, this method consisting generally in the storing up of a predetermined amount of kinetic energy in; the, pump champrovided which is extremely simple in construction'and manner of operation, which has all the advantages of such pumps constructed heretofore as regards rapid and positive actuation of the fluid valves, while eliminating 1 the more or'less complicated system of links and leversfound in the valve actuating mech anism of these pumps constructed heretofore, and, further, that the valve actuating mechanism has no dead-center position and is capableof continuousoperation for a rela tively long period of time without the necessity of readjustment or replacement of the parts. It has been found in actualpractice that operation of the improved valve actuating mechanism to actuate'the fluid valves in the manner explained at predetermined high and low level points in the pump chamber is independent'ofthe pressure of the operating fluid as well as the rate of withdrawal of water from the pump chamber, and that the mechanism will function in its prescribed manner for any range of pressures used.

Timing of the improvedvalve actuating m'echanismto flX the high and low level points may be effected by varying the size Ill.

and position of lug or the timing float 49, said valves are mounted, a swingable float or both.

While but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, of course various changes may be made, such as in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A pump of the character described including a pump chamber having air inlet and exhaust valves, a single valve carrying lever fulcrumed within the pump and operatively connected to said valves, a pivoted float having a loose connection with the lever for operating said valves with a snap action at high and low level conditions in the pump, a second float and an interlock between said floats for holding the first float against movement during intermediate level conditions.

2. A pump including a pump chamber having reversely operable air inlet and exhaust valves, a lever pivotally mounted within the pump and connected with said valves, a float pivotally supported in the pump, a loose connection between the float and'the lever, said float coacting with the lever for reversely operating the valves with a, snap action at high and low level conditions in the pump, a second float pivotally mounted within the pump and an interlock between the floats including an arcuate flange carried by one and a pin carried by the other, said pin and flange being engageable during intermediate level conditions in the pump and being disengaged at high and low level conditions in the pump.

A pump having a single chamber provided with a check valve control water inlet, a separate. check valve control water outlet, rcversely operable air inlet and exhaust valves, asingle float for operating both of said valves with a snap action at high and low level conditions in the pump, a second float, and a cooperating pin and flange arrangement directly carried by and operating between the floats for holding the first float against movement during intermediate level conditions in the pump.

4. A pump having a single chamber provided with a check valve controlled water inlet, a separate check valve control water outlet, reversely operable air inlet and exhaust valves, a valve operating lever for said air inlet and exhaust valves, a single float having a loose connection with said valve operating lever for operating both of said valves with a snap action at high and low level conditions in the pump, and means including a second float within the pump for holding the first float against movement during intermediate level conditions of water in said chamher.

K a ing reversely operable air inlet and exhaust 'ithth, a single valve carrying lever on which A pump including a pump chamber havmounted in the pump and having a loose connection with the lever, a second swingable float mounted in the pumpand inter-engaging means betweenthe floats for maintaining the first float against movement during intermediate level conditionsin the pump.

6, A pump including a pump chamber having reversely operable air inlet and exhaust valves, a swingable float for 'reversely operating said valves witha snap action at high and low level conditions in the pump, a

a second, swingable float, a curved part on one float and acooperating part on the other, said parts coasting to maintain the first float against movement against intermediate level conditions by being disengaged at high and low level conditions in the pump.

7. A pump including a pump chamber having air inlet and exhaustvalves, a single valve carrying lever upon which the valves are mounted, a float loosely connected with said lever for re *ersely operating the valves with a snap action at high and low level conditions in the pump, a second float and a co operating pin and flange arrangement be tween the floats for maintaining the first float against movement during intermediate level conditions.

In witness whereof, we hereto afliX our signatures.

nouns noenns. RICHARD RADDATZ. 

